Goals

I have had SUCH a hard time writing down my weight loss goals!  I think it's partly why I've been STUCK.  I'm going to try as best I can to set my goals that I will track on Jen to Lose -- to be as specific as possible without being too complicated!  A challenge I know, but here goes:

1. Scale Goals -- I will use the scale as a tool to track my weight loss, but it is not the everything.

• I will do the work to reach a weight that is within a healthy range for my height.  I will reach this ultimate weight goal by focusing on smaller goals
• I will focus on losing 5 pounds at a time, rewarding myself at each success (giving special attention to reaching my pre-pregnancy weight and my lowest weight in the last five years) 
• I will also track my measurements monthly

2. Food Goals

• I will use Weight Watcher's point system to track and guide my calorie consumption and food choices.  
• I will write down everything I eat in a daily food journal.
• I will use the plan to increase my intake of whole, natural foods.
• I will not binge! I commit to regrouping immediately after having a setback with my food choices. 

3.  Activity Goals

• I make the commitment to DAILY activity and exercise.  I will schedule a daily activity/walk at least five times a week.
• I will schedule and plan more ways to be active with my children and family --at least three times a week.
• In September 2010, I will begin to add jogging to my weekly activity, working up to a 5K racke in May 2011

4.  Finding Me Goals --Part of this journey is about identifying the reasons why I have used and abused food.  To do this I will. . .

• Write in a journal or Jen to Lose on a regular basis, checking in with myself about my success, challenges, and where I am going.
• Identify new ways to better handle stress, worry, and hormones.
• I will set smaller, monthly goals in order to manage my journey in smaller chunks.
• If I am having challenges and struggles, I commit to use my journal and blog as a tool.  I commit to keep going, to keep writing, to probing deeper.

5. Other Goals

• In October 2010, I will have a family portrait taken

Well, this doesn't say it all but it is a solid start.  I would like to add something about my family, but I think that will come with time.  Ultimately this is not only about the scale.  This is not about perfection.  It's about taking one step towards saying what I want and doing the work to make it happen.

You have your goals Jen.  You have your starting point.  You have a vision.  It is strong.  It is doable.  It is a plan you can act on.